GOOD Design L.A.

GOOD Design L.A.

GOOD Design L.A.

What I look like at work

Today

woke up early

work went fast

sinking feeling slightly in early coverage

home for shower

downstairs to big hug from sarah and celebration on victory

spring in richmond, democratic convention

october 20th sticker

trip to vegas
high school field
knock on doors

two days later at an airport wishing i was celebrating with all my friends, but felt an inkling of that burning purpose again after listening to the radio on the way

an experience without picture
a constructed memory in ten years
lax

no more worrying, more leaping, more laughing, more fun

today is a good day

Texas Our Texas

Never been so proud....

Making a Map

Today when I pulled up to work my scooter miles were 420. I remember April 20th, it was a wonderful day. Samara and I bought fruit and flowers. Quintina and I taped essence. It felt like the first day of spring. People were flowers and I had a walk though the poppies.

Every number has an experience, therefore every quantitative has a qualitative. To me the secret, which really isn’t one, is active memory. Use the two qs to create a symbiotic relationship to not only construct your reality, but to remember it.

Soon, I hope to start making sense

I am sitting in a coffee shop, inside, because there are no seats out there.

My insecurities have taken over. To a point where I have stopped sharing which is unacceptable. I have the largest opportunity of my life sitting in front of me and my patience is ruining it. Slow down, share things, don’t be afraid of rejection.

Collaborative, resource, aggregate.

How can I have fun. What do I enjoy? Learning. Being outside.

What is the idea? Why is it a good one?
What is the plan?
How is it presented?
What does it look like?

Could it be a mock up?
Could it be a video?


How do you feel about advertising?


Did I mention I might have an obsessive personality?

two summers

in two cities.

10 year reunion

I totally have a crush

The problem is I'm still searching.

Clearly this is the next content revolution of this blog. Basically now a full on personal journal. Well, I guess it was bound to happen. At least this way I can justify that I share these feelings.

So back to searching. I think that its about finding that thing to figure out. Keep the focus. Find the belief. Some times I sorta catch it, I guess its like a humming bird or butterfly, whichever smudges wings.

Its like I'm back in high school.

How people can find that confidence.
I catch mine around friends, people I know.

Back to shared experience.

Okay, the point of my job is to create an experience in which a positive interaction will occur.

That is also kinda the point of life.
Now I'm starting to feel these weird things. Like in high school.
I'm afraid of looking stupid again.

Its usually only the beginning though. Things smooth out.
"put things on shelves"

Love unfortunately is also in the head.

Note to self

It is easy to tell those stories. About being hurt, life disordered, working on patience.

But most of the time they are only crafted for our own mind. They only make sense there.

It is hard. That was a period.

I think its finally 2008.

Romantic

New York City sets a perfect example of it.

Thinking about the many lives of folks and happenstance and levels. Street level to train level. Right below our feet a series of important events take place or right above our heads. It would be an interesting intersect, if only I had better hand skills.

When we wonder what they are doing at this exact moment, if only to imagine their reality. Heavy heart, fornicating, writing, stressing, studying, eating. Many of the actions we take day to day. But it is romanticized no? If the situation were reversed, if we were to be thought about instead, their supposition that we were in lust with another, ignorant to the reality of our taking a dump, picking our nose, or changing a tampon – how romantic is that?

That isn’t even perception, its imagination. We imagine how someone might have changed, evolved, but cannot be for sure. Our suppositions being just as colored, wild, hasty. Self indulgent?

A past acquaintance

climbed the stairs
to the attic
where he was working with another carpenter contractor.

The man was older, in his early sixties, set in his ways, but did good work at a fair price (the same for over fifteen years) and never advertised.

In fact he was almost overwhelmed with work, hence Tom.

At the top of the steep pull-down staircase was Will.
Naked
as always.

just a pair of Birkenstocks that he wore year round until his odd spray of toes wore out the sole to a point where the price of a new pair is completely justified.

“What took you so long?”

He is very matter of fact,
not joking and completely unaware of how his exposed body
(from that particular angle no less) might spark an avalanche of cognitive discourse.
After it all, Tom is a very smart man. Will likes Tom’s work, not his work ethic (if he knew how to use the internet he wouldn’t think Tom’s web site was funny).

I can only imagine how the conversation continued
or if it did
into the day
with the sweltering heat of a wooden central Texas attic as the third party.

mind control

I stumbled across an article in the New York Times today which described an experiment conducted by scientists on monkeys. Apparently, they have trained or conditioned the animals through a tiny sensor in their brain to control a prosthetic arm with their mind. While it is in a controlled environment, a place we as humans rarely find ourselves, it has connected the brain with machines in a new and fascinating manner.

I can't help but think about what this could mean.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/science/29brain.html?hp

WaterAid

working women (click here)

David Byrd and Josh Krobin were the masterminds behind this operation.

A break from the book

On planning

"Simplify the complicated."

"Insights into ideas."

"Catalyst for co-creation."
(listen, synthesize, build, take to other places, validate others and their thoughts).

- Earl Cox

I often ask myself this question.

“What exactly are your expectations?”

While this question first surfaced around a personal relationship, it seeps everywhere. It becomes part of planning. It becomes my goal setting process.

There is the beauty of self-reflection.

I am forced to ask myself what my goals are. What do I want?

Lately I have been entirely too philosophical. School has allowed me to swim in murky waters. My lines have blurred, everything is reality, but only my construction of it. Last summer I jokingly spoke to a friend describing us as method actors. Now I don’t joke as much. We are asked to brand ourselves. Who is brand Beth? What do I consistently promise over time?

That is a lot to think about. I learn new things about myself everyday. I look back and think about how much I have changed over the years and the people that know me here, know a different Beth than the ones who know me there. And that’s not even including division by geography.

I am always seeking something. Always expecting something.
But this is nothing new. This is something we all go through. It is part of the human cognition.

on the way

to prom

Please respond to my survey

international business forum

the best note of the day.

learning function

64=17,30,17

there are seventeen more days left in the month, followed by thirty days of april and the 17th of may marks graduation.

{overwhelmed}

i remember sitting in a coffee shop with a friend this time last year who was about to graduate. it struck me odd that he was trying to remember why he came here. my brain at the time was so focused and clear. i viewed everything as an opportunity to learn and share. i believe i still hold true to that notion, but it might be my own curse of knowledge. once i realized this was happiness and that i could do it anywhere i began to feel paralyzed. where do i want to learn?

is it about the weather? is it about the city? the family? the company culture? the meaningful work? how long should i stay? when would i move back closer to my sister? with what friends do i want to be able to climb trees? how much of my work life do i want in my intimate life? how should the two be related?

{overwhelmed}

initially i wanted to bridge the gap between the "haves" and the "have nots" (how that is defined for simplification purposes can be as the ability to provide for one's own life). technology seems to accentuate the divide. those with access have more resource.

- disperse technology. (wikipedia is a great example, i didn't realize how much so until i heard jimmy whales speak)

then i wanted to promote environmental, social, and political platforms.

- helping preserve the environment is a lifestyle choice that can be easily integrated through personal action. however, the history channel blew my mind the other night. if we are in a period between ice ages, what does that mean about global warming?
- my summer in new orleans led to realizing the complex nature of societal concerns. what is right for some is not for others, healthy compromise needs to result from collaboration before innovation.
- politics. whew. politics. maybe someday, when i know more, i will work on city council. and maybe before i will work for an elected official.

{overwhelmed}

what i want from work: 1) being around super smart people, the kind who talk about brains, gentrification issues, architecture, art, technology, commerce, mechanical engineering. the kind who talk about all the things i don't know. 2) community connections. i want to work with other organizations. 3)controversy. i want to discuss, argue, debate, seduce. 4)social responsibility. i don't want to negatively affect the lives of others.

next step:
find out where this is possible. figure out what i offer. apply.

createathon

About twenty of us from school either didn't leave for spring break or returned early to volunteer for this event. It was the first campus attempt, mixing graduate and undergrad students from the advertising tracks at school.

We were given the chance to use our skills to help local non-profits reach a variety of objectives. The night was long and all the sugar wore off by 3.

My group and I worked on TwinSaddles Therapeutic Riding. An organization run by a University of Richmond professor that introduces people in the community with emotional, psychological and cognitive needs to her horses. Our assignment was a visual identity. Throughout the 24hours we created a logo, stationary set, website, flikr account, blog, and catalog.

The screen capture above is a shot of the developing logo in process.

admittedly

i spend too much of my time worrying about what i don't know. i always lose at trivial pursuit.

maybe that's why i like chip kidd so much, or maybe its because i had a car accident on the same day that i didn't have margaritas with him because i felt awkward sounding my voice as a woman.

i voted for hillary.

the pipes are clogged

i spent a good half hour over the last couple of days trying to get the bathtub to fully drain without leaving remnants of facial scrub and shaved hair. yes that is gross, but it is the reality of my life, and others like me.

hours later, i am thinking about how i don't have much to say anymore. i'm not sure why this is, since my brain doesn't seem to stop processing. not only is it processing, it has to tell me everything that it is processing and why it is processing it. it can't just do it on its own...quietly, like those who tell me "i think too much" brains must behave. some days i want to trade.

some days i want to trade a lot of things.

i am in a period of reflection, not the empowering kind that makes me feel like i am invicible, but the kind that makes me realize all of my imperfections. the kind that makes me feel guilty for what i know is privilege. it was a privilege to hang out with my mom and sister reading david sedaris and watching humming birds, all the while wishing i was in his arms. that his is long gone. that him i knew has been gone for a long time.

i don't blame everything or anything on him. it is all in my head. my loss was to not express how he made me feel anymore. he numbed me, but i think he knew that. in a way he broke the spirit that he loved most. his fucking my close friend doesn't make it easier, just more confusing, just more random and displaced.

i carry it with me though. i carry it to places i never knew i would have the opportunity to traverse. i sit across the table with someone who doesn't know who i am, but would if only we could describe the same color of green.

i shaved my legs for that person. and the stubble that grew is what stuck to the porcelain and begged me to add draino to the grocery list.

Over mushroom soup

Last night I ate my first, and probably last dinner at the Commonwealth Club. I had the honor and pleasure of sitting next to Simcha Ronen, Ph.D., (professor of organization psychology and comparative management, Tel Aviv University). The friendliest, wittiest and most honest person I have met in a long time, offered two points for my professional career: 1. It is not frowned upon these days to have lots of jobs. 2. You will work 20 more years than us.

minding your wake

I have always been a firm believer that we should be aware of how our actions are affecting others. This isn't something I came up with on my own, my parents raised me that way.

Over the last couple of years I have become obsessed with science. In retrospect I believe it is because it takes me to the place where the lines get fuzzy. The journey resulted in an epiphany of sorts and the realization that everything is connected. Connected because all that matters is what we believe.

Recently I have persevered over an article for our school's annual publication. I paired up with someone I had never worked with before because we both had interest in the same issue. Boiled down in the business sense, it is referred to as the triple bottom line, or People Planet Profit. I never imaged the road it would take us down. We interviewed some of the smartest people I have ever met and asked their opinions about the subject. The synopsis below does not do justice to their depth, but these ideas must be shared.

Ed cotton, partner and head planner of Butler Shine Stern and Partners (an agency behind such campaigns as Converse and HP), keeper of influx insights, and co-founder (with Gareth Kay, Modernista - most notable campaign work for Hummer) of Planning For Good, was the first we talked to. The key takeaways I learned from that interview was that there are three tiers of businesses adopting this type of philosophy. The first being the old school companies, lending insight that this is not a new radical idea. They were founded out of strong principles and values that resonated from their core outwards through all of their extension lines. They were always aware. The second tier are companies that are retroactive. In other words, they messed up and were forced by outraged people to face the music and change their ways (a glaring example that he gave was Gap). The third and last tier are the new companies. Entrepreneurship founded on solid principles much like the first tier, just in a different day and age. Mark Twain may have said it best, "History doesn't repeat itself it rhymes." A great recent example of that is Zipcar. He also spoke to the complexities of the situation, especially when pertaining to the environment, siting examples of cradle to grave. More specifically he spoke of the difference between the Prius and a Hummer. While Prius is certainly perceived as less harmful, in terms of sheer numbers produced, the waste created and difficult disposal of the batteries may have a more harmful impact on the planet. This was not to say that Hummer is better for the environment, just to demonstrate the complex thinking involved in the situation. And to highlight the point that "people believe they are making a statement but they don't necessarily know the reality." He believes that ultimately it is a cultural decision and the biggest hurdle to its adoption is many companies feel they "would rather not say anything than say anything because they are afraid they are going to get negative reactions." In my mind this means that brands will have to be brave.

We also contacted Keith Reinhard, Businesses for Diplomatic Action and Chairman of DDBO, who brought up fascinating free market insights and a strong personal belief. He mentioned many of the hurdles, citing the "real conflict or perceived conflict between the 'planet priority' and the 'profit' priority. Taking time to identify the major argument that "many still argue" concerning the thought that companies should only focus on what they do best, permeating the benefits to society by "providing well-paying jobs, tax revenue...high rates of returns to shareholders who in turn re-invest in the local and national economy." An example of "reconciling these conflicts between 'people,' 'planet' and 'profit' priorities" that he found compelling is being demonstrated by Microsoft. They have developed a "separate entity whose financial performance is separated from that of the mother company...The new entity's mission is to find or create businesses that benefit the planet and that will eventually generate profits." Incredibly smart and forward thinking if you ask me. There is absolutely no denying there is money in considering the 3P. Two more powerful thoughts that I think Keith states best by himself:

"The good news, and maybe this is my bottom line, is that three free-market factors will merge to resolve these conflicts. 1.) The instant transferability of technology, 2.) a better informed consumer; and 3) the blogosphere. Let me try to explain. In most product and service categories, parity is already the rule. It is almost impossible, given today's technology, to sustain a meaningful, intrinsic product or service difference. Any brand's 'secret ingredient' will be instantly copied by its competitors and parity will reign again. This means that more and more, the brand selection (by informed and caring consumers) will be based more on what a brand 'stands for' and how it behaves than on product attributes or advertising claims. The blogosphere will keep companies honest."

“So, as you might expect, I am a fierce believer in the free market system and consumer choice. Our job then, is to create consumer demand for “people” and “planet” friendly brands. When that happens, companies will not only find it easier to resolve the present conflicts, they’ll find that triple bottom line behavior is absolutely necessary to their survival.”

And lastly, we spoke to David Droga, creator of the successful Tap Project and budding Million project. Not to mention recent agency of the year award. In his matter of fact tone of speaking he claimed that it is inevitable. Social capital is essential in the future marketplace, good businesses know that and are taking the opportunity, not because it necessarily feels good, but to the extent that is where the money is. Raised with a mother, described as an activist, he noted that "there is always a better way of doing something" and "brands can be a lot of fun and have a sense of morality about them." The Million project is a perfect example. It started with the goal of branding achievement for the New York Department of Education. In finding the solution, they looked at the nature of how teenagers communicate, what is important to them. This led to the creation of a cell-phone incentive program. With partnerships from Vorizon and Motorola, one million students receive a free phone jam packed with educational applications. While in school, the phone service switches off, so as to be used more like a personal computer where they can download homework or use the internet for research. Outside of school it functions as a regular phone. Incentives include more minutes and texting capability based on "consistency, participation and involvement." Once the plan rolls out to "critical mass, we can go to a handset manufacturer and get a specific phone that you can't find on the street." Ah, and we all know how much being exclusive means. All in all, brilliant idea.

This is a lot to digest, like I said, we had no idea the path this would take us here. But is is exciting. The time is right to make things better, to innovate new ways to find solutions and create commerce that benefits the common good.

open source government?

i have recently become interested in blogs, for many reasons. here's one:

a guest speaker last semester mentioned that the invention of the blog has been likened to that of gutenberg's press. if this is true, what is the next revolution?

1 comments

First Assignment: Become more interesting.

the thing I have learned about being interesting:

you have to be interested.
and you have to share.


this interested me tonight:
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/193

eavesdrop number two

back to the same coffee shop. as chance would have it, back to the same seat.

today it was three young women. eating lunch and sharing time.
content ranged from dietary restrictions to frog babies.

at 18 (i know because of their discontent with the drinking age in dubai) they knew things most didn't at that age. yet, much like the legal drinker, they presented in their own context. relied upon "facts" that had been told to them by people they trust, or respect, or deem to know.

passing on information, regardless of its validity to the next person
who will believe it.



i watched the republican debate hours later.
thought about stories. not so much about the content displayed in the media before me, but about their transfer.

about the pace.

difference between book and blog

The quote below keeps becoming more relevant. The more I think about it, the more germane the quote below becomes. As every time I look at it, it is presented in a different way.

However, to you, it will be presented in one. The way you are reading this now.

The affect of technology on media can be demonstrated.

I write this blog as I would a book. The first post, or page is underneath all of the new pages.

However, you read the newest page first. If this were a printed media, it would be much like a book. You are then essentially reading the book backward, that is if you decide to read the next post...

page one hundred and twenty seven

"...because if you weren't born in your decade you never made it to the ending, you floated around in your middle, unresolved, in oblivion, confused and unrealized.

(Pour some sugar on him and blame it on the rain.)"

Dirty Laundry

I ordered a cup, for here, filled the enormous vessel with half & half and house roast.

Where should I sit?

It was crowded. I knew that my close proximity would make me a little nervous as my intent was to record and comment on other people’s conversation. I spotted an empty table...near the bathroom, close to four other people, two engulfed in conversation.

Sitting down I began to actively pay attention. The current conversation was centered on laundry. The male, probably mid-thirties sitting next to a motorcycle helmet, began talking about a mat on Robinson. His point to the seemingly banal story was to share that it wasn’t so bad, a good experience at the end of it all. He simply loaded his wash, went to the coffeeshop down the street (I know to be Starbucks) and hung out. "I did the crossword, went back to fill the dryer, returned and read the paper."

The course of conversation changed fast. He asked the woman, about the same age with a small child in a carrier next to her, about going back to school. She was considering a departure from her nursing career to pursue religious studies. A change he found of interest, “but you are such a caring nurturing person, nursing seems perfect for you.”

“Nursing is about working you to death, about kicking your ass. It isn’t about helping people.” She explained her desire for something part-time. Maybe a volunteer with the MCV clinic. She liked it there, “people don’t feel entitled.”

I became increasingly aware of my watching them. I stopped typing and opted to record in my notebook. In doing so the man leaned over to comment on the extreme size of my coffee cup.

“That is a huge cup of coffee! We could all take a dip in there!”
She laughed, giving him the "leave her alone look.”

“What? It draws your attention?”
“I don’t think it’s the coffee that draws your attention over there.”

I should add this was all in good nature. They joked with each other, talked about busting each other’s balls and who started it. I was forgotten about when “Jim” was brought up.

“How’s Jim?”
“He’s got drama. You can’t repeat this to anyone.”

(Okay now I am feeling like a little shit telling the story, I am changing his real name to Jim, someone I used to know.)

She launches in. Both leaned over the table, enthralled, yet their voices are not hushed. It is clear this is not a conversation they care about anyone they don’t know hearing.

“So he gets a text from this woman on New Year’s Eve. It says “I’m so glad you are in my life.” He thinks its strange as he doesn’t really even know who it is. Some woman he dated awhile ago. He doesn’t respond. Melanie, who apparently knows this woman, texts him the next day regarding the strange text. Oh yeah, you didn’t know? She’s pregnant!”

“What?”

“I know.” She nodds. “He finds out he’s going to be a dad through a text message. (there is a pregnant pause) But wait, it gets better. Apparently she has an old boyfriend that she has placed a restraining order on. It is either his or Jim’s baby. They won’t know the test results until May! Melanie said that if the baby is her ex’s, she doesn’t want him to be involved in any way. But if it is Jim’s she wants some of that doctor money. Oh yeah, and get this…she works at Wendy’s!”

“This is insane! He’s a doctor, he should know about birth control.”

“I know. He claims that the condom broke. Which means he didn’t use one. She’s 32, its not like she’s young and dumb. If she were 22, he could probably give her $20,000 and be done with it. She also has a 12 year old, whose father is in jail!”

“What? How does he know this girl?”

“He claims he doesn’t that well. That it was more of a one night stand kinda thing. But I guess he knew her well enough to tell her where he works. I told him if he didn’t want the baby and she was completely out of the picture that Matt and I would adopt.”

“WHAT?!?! Are you crazy! What did Matt say about that?”

She got up to use the restroom, causing them to yell out over me. “He thinks I’m crazy.”

A woman and small child emerge from the bathroom.
“Oh, I have one of those at home” she jokes with the frazzled young mom.

In her absence the man moves across the table to watch her infant while she’s using the facilities. I react by flipping back to an old page in my notebook. Hmm, open source design and its role in co-creation.

“Your mama is crazy” he coos.

She returns to the table. “Wanna see my new car? I can take you for a ride in it.”

“Sure, I brought my motorcycle.”

He leans over and peers at my notebook, contents exposed like an underwear drawer, looks me in the eyes, giggles and shrugs.

more on cloning...

step by step instructions

the shorter story

It has been months since I posted on my blog, making it difficult to return.

I moved back to Richmond for the third semester and making books became my media obsession for the weeks that followed.

As a little background, I named this blog last year after dreaming of starting an agency with three of my girlfriends. We used to wander the alleys with notebooks, cameras, markers and conversation. In retrospect the name’s meaning might be too sterile. Brodmann’s assigned area of the brain doesn’t reflect the fun we had, or the ease and creativity that passed between us.

However, here I am today, January 21, 2008 aging as I think about what to post. What do I have to say? What is my point? We are often asked what our point is. That can be a hard question to answer, much less express. Even if I figure it out, I might have a hard time relating it to you, to your life, to your dream life. And then again, even if I am successful, my point may not be as important to you as to me, being dulled.

These self-analytical thoughts have caused me to balk before my blog entry. What offering does my blog contain? Selfishly, I hope to have it as holding place for some of the interesting things found and observations that do not have a home yet, that are not ready to become part of a strategy or a point. A place to return, reflect upon, and reuse.